Unveiling the monument in Romania Families who lost their loved ones in a the Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter accident in Romania last year, departed on a special journey and returned to the place at which their family members were lost. Yesterday in Romania, they consecrated a monument in their memory

A monument in memory of those who died in the Sikorsky helicopter crash in the Carpathian Mountains last year, was unveiled yesterday in an emotional ceremony. The six bereaved families, along with the family of fallen Romanian pilot Captain Stefan-Claudiu Dragnea, participated in a delegation organized by the Israeli Air Force and took part in the ceremony, which was conducted by Commander of the IAF, Major General Ido Nehushtan and Commander of the Romanian Air Force, General Carnu Fanica.In the heart of the forest, at a spot overlooking the mountain impacted by the CH-53 on July 26th last year, a monument was placed, and a ceremony was conducted in memory of the fallen ones in which the Chief Military Rabbi, Briganier General Rafi Peretz, a Sikorsky pilot himself, participated as well.“This monument, is the story of fighters who died while operating for Israel’s security”, said commander of the IAF. “This is the story of seven of our best sons and friends. Dear families, this monument may stand here, but it is part of the story of the entire IAF family”. The Commander of the Romanian Air Force also spoke to the bereaved families. “We’re very emotional at this memorial ceremony for our Israeli friends and the Romanians. We’re happy that together we were able to overcome that difficult moment and consecrate a monument”, said General Carnu Fanica. “An event like this strengthens us and helps us create strong and permanent cooperation between the Israeli Air Force and the Romanian one. This kind of moment, which we hope will be the last in our relationship, will always remind us that we exist together in this world and that together, we must fight for peace”.The monument was unveiled by Major General Ido Nehushtan and Mr. Arie Mualem, Head and Deputy-Director General of the Department for Families and Memorialization at the Ministry of Defense, who made great efforts for the establishment of the monument.